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Published on 11/20/1995 All articles from this issue

CCS volleyball

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By Andy Nystrom

Town Crier Sports Editor

St. Francis blasts by Aptos

for second straight year

Niki Hartley said she was nervous prior to her first Central Coast Section championship appearance last Friday.

But the 6-foot sophomore middle blocker rose to the occasion and killed off those jitters with 13 kills in St. Francis' 15-2, 15-4, 15-3 Division II win over Aptos at Santa Clara High. It is the Lancers' fifth title in the last six years.

"I just wanted to play well," Hartley said. "We were really looking forward to this. We just wanted to take one game at a time."

They did, and at such a rapid pace - just 50 minutes - that the match must have been a blur for both teams. Especially for Aptos (24-7), who only led once: 1-0 in the third game.

In the rematch of last year's final, which ended with the same result, it was all St. Francis (36-5). Here's a rewind of the highlights:

• Hartley's back-to-back kills to set the pace in game one.

• Several blistering Shelly Glennon kills - and soft, precise dinks.

• Hustle on defense from Julie Hansen and blocks by Hartley, Vicki Viso and Jamey Scritchfield.

• And the always important setting of Roz Pelayo, who registered 21 assists.

With the NorCal playoffs beginning this week, Coach Dave Gambelin feels his two-time defending state champs are playing top-notch ball. "I wouldn't want to be playing them now," he said. "They've got everything going for them."

So what sets this team apart from past Lancer champs? Teams that included such stars as Shelly Wolfe, Megan O'Brien and Stacy Evans.

"They're mentally tough, and physical, too. They've got the best of both," Gambelin said.

Hartley added: "And everyone's there for each other. I love my team."

No. 1 seed St. Francis was to host Shasta-Redding (18-14) yesterday in the first round of the NorCal playoffs. The state championship match is Dec. 2 at Cal State Fullerton.